Joseph Galanto

1915 - 2014

GALANTO, JOSEPH M. Joseph M. Galanto, husband of the late Louise (Chillemi) Galanto, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2014 at the Middlesex Health Care Center, just shy of his 99th birthday - a day he was eagerly looking forward to. Joe was a native of Middletown’s North End. He was born January 19, 1915 on 25 Portland Street. He lived there for 31 years until he and Louise got married and then moved across the street to 24 Portland Street where he lived for 57 years before moving to his alma mater, the old Middletown High School on Court Street in 2003. In June, 2009, he became a resident of Middlesex Health Care Center on Randolph Road. Joe was the son of the late James A. Galanto and Antoinette (Lisi) Galanto. He is survived by his son, James A. Galanto and his girlfriend, Carol Fagan, of Cromwell; his daughter and son-in-law, Joann and Kurt Schlauder of Lyme; three sisters-in-law, Emily Galanto of Middletown, Zina Engengro of Hamden and Rosemary McNeil of Wallingford and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 59 years, Louise; brothers, James (Huck), Anthony (Jake), Victor and John; two sisters, Lucy Winzer and Mary Kruger; three half sisters, Rose Ciaburri, Anna Natale and Mae Dascanio, one half-brother, Fred and many friends. Joe spent his life working with his brothers. He worked with Victor and John in the morning at Vic Galanto Wholesale Tobacco, Candy and Vending Machines and then with his brother Jim in the afternoons and evenings at North End News/Trailways. “The Galanto Boys” were together almost every day of their lives, and are now together again. Joe was a kind man. He gave everyone the benefit of the doubt. He was happiest when he was with his family, going out to dinner and having his martini, coming to Lyme for the weekends, solving crossword puzzles (ink only) and watching the Yankees. He did not have the privilege of a college education, but was very intelligent and was well read and well versed on many subjects. He loved facts and figures and one could always rely on him to look up and find an answer in one of his almanacs or dictionaries, no matter how obscure the question might be. Joe was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and friend and will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Calling hours will be held at the D’Angelo Funeral Home, 22 South Main Street, Middletown, on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 9, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. at the D’Angelo Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. at St. John’s Church, Middletown. Burial will be private. The family would like to thank the entire staff at Middlesex Health Care Center (past and present) for their kindness and compassion shown to our father, and especially to Chris McMahon, Trudy Fenty, Damaris Guzman, Lindsay Smith and Michelle Martinez. Those who wish to make memorial contributions to Middlesex Hospital Weiss Hospice Unit, 28 Crescent Street, Middletown, Connecticut 06457.